The spirituality of eels

New Age. Anti-science. Should be banned in school. I must say that the negative reactions of the other reviewers piqued my interest in this production, “The Mystery of Eels”. I agree that it's rather boring, and that it's probably unsuited for a strictly scientific TV channel like the PBS. However, it's not completely “under the water” either.

Rather than a “real” documentary about the fish known as eel, it narrates the movie-maker's personal journey across the globe in search of harmony between spirit, man and nature. He interviews traditional fishermen (and women) in New England, explores nature-oriented Japanese art, and visits the Maori in New Zealand. For once, bad modern civilization is symbolized by contemporary Japan rather than the West, as the narrator takes us on a tour through mechanized fish markets, fish farms and restaurants. As for the eel, it's used throughout as a symbol for the spiritual dimension we have to reconnect with.

Even as a work of poetry, I'd say “The mystery of the eel” is mostly a failure, but it might be of some interest if the romantic-Green angle is your thing. Although I feel less romantic (and slightly hungrier) today, I will nevertheless give this production three stars for the effort.